Children&#39;s wrap

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes an apparatus for protecting a baby or toddler from the elements. The apparatus is a blanket having an interior surface, an exterior surface. The perimeter of the blanket is includes a base edge with opposite ends, two side edges extending from opposite ends of the base edge, and a pair of intersecting top edges, with one top edge extending from each side edges. A hood is disposed on the interior surface of the blanket in an area where the top edges intersect, and an adjustable length strap secured to the blanket and disposed along the bottom edge.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application depends from and claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/853,528 filed Apr. 8, 2013, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to the field of comforters and blankets.More particularly, the present disclosure is in the field of comfortersand blankets for babies, toddlers and other small humans.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Human beings have been using blanket type apparatuses to provide comfortand protection from the elements for hundreds of years. For example,early cave people likely used the skin and fur from animals to make thefirst forms of blankets.

As society and technology advanced, so too did blanket technology.People began knitting and weaving them out of string, which was greatlyaccelerated with development of mechanical looms and the cotton gin.

Blankets in modern society continued to advance with high technologytextiles, such as microfibers, and with increased diversity in theirshape and design. For example, one recently popular blanket device isthe Snuggie™ which is a wearable type blanket with sleeves.

Although there have been many advancements in blanket technology senseits initial inception, it is apparent that continued development existsfor specific applications. One such application is the development of ablanket specifically designed for a baby or small human to be used inconjunction with various baby or small human transporting apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure includes an apparatus for protecting a baby ortoddler from the elements. The apparatus is a blanket having an interiorsurface and an exterior surface. A perimeter of the blanket may includea base edge with opposite ends, two side edges extending from oppositeends of the base edge, and a pair of intersecting top edges, with onetop edge extending from each side edges.

A hood may be disposed on the interior surface of the blanket in an areawhere the top edges intersect, and a bottom strap is secured to theblanket and disposed along the bottom edge.

The blanket may further include one or more fasteners affixed to theblanket along the side edge(s).

One method to use the above described apparatus to protect from theelements includes placing the blanket over a baby or small humantransporting device. The apparatus may then be secured to thetransporting device with the fasteners and enclosed around a portion ofthe transporting device and/or human with the bottom strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the front of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the back of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the front of an alternate embodiment ofthe apparatus;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the front of another embodiment ofapparatus;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the front of the apparatus in anenclosed position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the apparatus showingadjustment of the bottom strap;

FIG. 7 is and perspective view of a portion of the apparatus havingVelcro fastening straps;

FIG. 8 is and perspective view of a portion of the apparatus having clipmember fastening straps;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus in a rolled up state;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus applied to a stroller;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the apparatus applied to a car seat;and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the apparatus applied to a frontcarrier.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed is an apparatus for protecting a baby or toddler from theelements. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus may be ablanket 20 having an interior surface 25, an exterior surface 30. Theperimeter of the blanket may include a base edge 35 with opposite ends36, two side edges 40 extending from opposite ends 36 of the base edge35, and a pair of top edges 45, with one top edge 45 extending from eachside edges 40.

In one embodiment, the base edge 35 with opposite ends 36, the two sideedges 40 extending from opposite ends 36 of the base edge 35, and thepair of top edges 45, give the perimeter of the blanket 20 a shapesimilar to that of home plate on a baseball field. To form this shape,the side edges 40 extend generally perpendicular to the base edge 35,and a point of intersection 46 of the top edges 45 is generallyequidistant from the side edges 40. The blanket 20 of this embodiment isabout 36″ tall and 36″ wide.

The blanket 20 may be made from a single sheet of material, or from afirst sheet of material overlaid onto a second sheet of material.Additionally a third layer, or other type of insulation, such as cottonbatting, could be sandwiched between the first and second sheets ofmaterial. It will be appreciated, however, that other constructionsknown to those skilled in the art may be used to practice the invention.

If a first and second sheet of material is used to form the blanket,then the materials can be of different type. In one embodiment the firstlayer of material may form the interior surface 25, and is made from asoft material, such as fleece, cotton, flannel, terry cloth, polyesteror any other material known to those skilled in the art which would feelcomfortable against a user's skin. The second layer of material may formthe outer surface 30, and is made from a more durable material that iswater resistant or water proof, such a polyester, polyurethane, or anyother material, or combinations of materials, known to those skilled inthe art which would provide additional protection from the elements.

A hood 50 may be disposed on the interior surface 25 of the top of theblanket 20 in an area where the top edges 45 intersect, and a bottomstrap 55 is secured to the blanket 20 and disposed along the bottom edge35. The hood 50 begins at the point of intersection of the top edges 46,and extends part way down the top edges 45, thereby forming a generallytriangle shaped hood 50. With reference now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the hood50 can take other forms, for example if instead of forming a sharpcorner, the side edges 40 meet in such a manner as to create a roundedtop 47 to the blanket 20, and the hood 21. Another alternate examplewould be the top edges 45 abutted a short edge 48 on the top on theblanket 20, forming a flat top to the hood 52. The hood 50 of thepreferred embodiment is generally less than 10″ tall and less than 20″wide.

The hood 50 may be made with the same material as the blanket, or from adifferent type of material. The hood 50 can be an additional layersecured to the other layers, or it can be an extension of one or more ofthe other layers that is folded over and secured. The hood 50 can beused to receive a child's head and protect it from inclement weather oravoid exposure to the sun.

The bottom strap 55 secured to the blanket along the bottom edge 35 maybe oriented generally parallel to the bottom edge 35. As shown in FIG.5, the ends 56 of the bottom strap 55 may be connectable to each otherto form a closed loop, for example by utilizing a male 57 and female 58clip member at the respective ends 56 of the bottom strap 55. As shownin FIG. 6, the bottom strap 55 of one embodiment is adjustable inlength, for example by attaching one of the clip members 57 to thebottom strap 55 in a fashion that allows selective movement (as shown byarrow M) of the clip member 57 along the length of the bottom strap 55,as is known by those skilled in the art. The moveable member may be ableto be selective movable when the bottom strap 55 is attached to itselfto from the closed loop, such that the size of the loop can be adjust totighten or loosen the fitting of the blanket 20 without removal.

Alternatively, the bottom strap 55 may be connected to itself to formthe closed loop by tying, hook and loop style fasteners, buckles, or anyother means known to those skilled in the art. The bottom strap 55 canbe made from a combination of materials, such as nylon and/or elastic,depending on the desired properties of the bottom strap 55. The abilityto connect and tighten the bottom strap 55 provides the ability tocreate a custom fit around the child, adult and various accessory items,including over a car seat.

In one embodiment, the bottom edge 35 of the blanket 20 may include asleeve 37. The sleeve 37 runs along the bottom edge 35 of the blanket20, and is formed by attaching an additional sheet of material, or byfolding over the blanket 20 onto itself. In one embodiment, the bottomstrap 55 is disposed within the sleeve 37 running along the bottom edge35.

One or more fastening straps 60 may be attached to the blanket 20. Thefastening straps 60 may be located along the top edges 45, close to hood50. The fastening straps 60 may be used to secure the blanket 20 to ababy or small human transporting device such as a stroller, car seat,front infant carrier, or any other transporting device known to thoseskilled in the art.

The fastening straps 60 may be tied around various portions of thetransporting device to secure the blanket 20 to the device. As shown inFIG. 7, the fastening straps 60 straps could secure to each other withone strap having Velcro hooks 61, and the other strap having Velcroloops 62. As shown in FIG. 8, the fastening straps 60 could feature amale 63 and female 64 clip end. Additionally, the fastening straps 60could utilize a male and female snap portion, a button and slit, a hookand receiving loop or area, or any other means known to those skilled inthe art capable of forming a closed loop around a portion of thetransporting device. The fastening straps 60 can be sewn to the blanket,be an extension of the blanket material, or can be attached using anyother means known by those skilled in the art.

One or more handles 65 may be attached to the blanket along, and may beoriented generally parallel to, the side edge(s). The handles 65 may beused by a user when wearing the blanket in a cap type manner. Thehandles 65 can be made of a similar material to the blanket, any elasticmaterial, or could be made from any other suitable flexible material.The handles 65 can be attached by sewing the handle at each of its endsto the blanket 20, or by any other means known to those skilled in theart. In the preferred embodiment, the handles 65 are generally less than6″ long.

The blanket 20 can further include an elastic loop 70 secured to one ofthe side edges 40. As shown in FIG. 9, the elastic loop 70 is used tomaintain the blanket 20 in a folded or rolled position when the blanket20 is folded or rolled for storage.

With reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, one method for using the apparatus isas follows: a blanket 20 as described above is provided, and atransporting device is provided. The transporting device can be astroller 75, car seat 80, front infant/child carrier 85, or any othersimilar device known to those skilled in the art. The blanket 20 isplaced over transporting device, and secured with the fastening straps60. The blanket 20 is wrapped around a portion of the transportingdevice, and enclosed with the bottom strap 55.

When a stroller 75 is used as the transporting device, the blanket 20may be oriented such that the hood is near a head end 76, or top, of thestroller, and the bottom edge 35 is near a foot end 77, or bottom, ofthe stroller 75. The fastening straps 60 attach to side rails 78 of thestroller 75 to maintain the blanket 20 in the proper position, andprevent a child 90 from kicking off the blanket 20 their lap. The bottomstrap 55 can be used to enclose the feet of the child 90 to furtherprotect from the elements.

When a car seat 80 is used as the transporting device, the blanket 20may be oriented such that the hood 50 is positioned near a foot end 81of the car seat, and the bottom edge 35 of the blanket is positionednear a head end 82 of the car seat 80. The hood 20 can be used toreceive the child's feet, and the bottom strap 55 can be brought overthe canopy of the car seat to completely protect the child from harshweather. The fastening straps 60 can be secured to a handle 83 of thecar seat 80 to maintain the blanket 20 in the proper position.

When a front infant/child carrier 85 is used as the transporting device,the blanket 20 may be oriented such that the hood 50 is near a head end86, or top, of the carrier 85, and the bottom edge is near a foot end87, or bottom, of the carrier. The fastening straps 60 attach toshoulders straps 88 of the carrier 85 to maintain the blanket in theproper position. The hood 50 can be brought up over the head of thechild 90 in the carrier 85, to protect the child 90 from the elements.The bottom strap 55 can be used to enclose the bottom of the carrier,the adult wearing the carrier, and feet of the child to further protectfrom the elements.

The disclosed apparatus is not restricted to the illustrated examplesand embodiments described above. The embodiments are not intended aslimitations on the scope of the invention. Methods, apparatus, and thelike described herein are exemplary and not intended as limitations onthe scope of the invention. Changes therein and other uses will occur tothose skilled in the art.

1. An apparatus comprising: a blanket having an interior surface, anexterior surface, a base edge with opposite ends, two side edgesextending from opposite ends of the base edge, and a pair ofintersecting top edges, one top edge extending from each side edges; ahood disposed on the interior surface in an area where the top edgesintersect; and a bottom strap secured to the blanket and disposed alongthe bottom edge.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at leastone fastener affixed to the blanket along each of the top edges.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2 further comprising at least one handle attached tothe inside surface of the blanket proximate to where the one of the topedges extends from of the side edges.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2wherein the at least one fastener is a pair of straps.
 5. The apparatusof claim 4 wherein the pair of straps includes a male clip portion onone strap, and a female clip portion on the other strap, the male clipportion attachable to the female clip portion so as to from the pair ofstraps into a closed loop.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein thehandle is a strip of elastic material with opposite ends, the stripbeing secured to the blanket at the opposite ends, and aligned generallyparallel to the side edges.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a sleeve extending along the bottom edge of the blanket, thebottom strap being disposed within the sleeve, and the bottom strapbeing adjustable in length.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein thebottom strap is made from as elastic material.
 9. The apparatus of claim1 wherein the interior surface in formed from an insulating material andthe exterior surface is formed from a weather resistant material. 10.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an elastic loop disposedalong one of the two side edges.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe two side edges extend generally perpendicular to the base edge. 12.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hood is generally triangular inshape, and is secured along the extending top edges.
 13. A method ofprotecting a baby or toddler from the elements comprising the steps ofa) providing a blanket having an interior surface, an exterior surface,a base edge, two side edges extending from opposite ends of the baseedge, and an intersecting top edge extending from each side edges; ahood disposed on the interior surface in an area where the top edgesintersect; at least one fastener affixed to the blanket along each ofthe top edges; and a bottom strap secured to the blanket and disposedalong the bottom edge. b) providing a device for transporting a baby ortoddler; c) placing the blanket over the transporting device; d)securing the blanket to the transporting device with the fasteners; ande) enclosing the blanket around a portion of the transporting devicewith the bottom strap along the extending top edges.
 14. The method ofclaim 13 wherein the baby transporting device is a stroller.
 15. Themethod of claim 13 wherein the baby transporting device is a car seat.16. The method of claim 13 wherein the baby transporting device is afront infant carrier worn by an adult.
 17. The method of claim 14further comprising the step of orienting the blanket before placing theblanket, such that the hood is near a head end of the stroller, and thebottom edge is near a foot end of the stroller.
 18. The method of claim15 further comprising the step of orienting the blanket before placingthe blanket, such that the hood is near a foot end of the car seat, andthe bottom edge is near a head end of the car seat.
 19. The method ofclaim 16 further comprising the step of orienting the blanket beforeplacing the blanket, such that the hood is near a head end of the infantcarrier, and the bottom edge is near a foot end of the infant carrier.